For former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins, who spent one season with the Warriors, it’s never wise to count out Curry and company. He said he can still envision the Larry O’Brien Trophy returning to the Bay Area.

“You combine the history of this team with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Steve Kerr, and you add a winner like Jimmy Butler to that puzzle, it’s giving some type of success,” Cousins said on “Run it Back.”

“I do think they have a chance at getting one more title before this dynasty is actually over. You know, the guys are up in age, things of that nature, but they’re talented enough, experienced enough, and good enough to get another in the next couple of years.”

One of the warriors’ biggest concerns

The obvious question for the Golden State Warriors this season is Curry’s health. While he’s expected to return fully healed from his hamstring injury, it will be crucial to see if he can stay on the floor consistently given his history of physical issues.

When Curry is at 100%, there’s little doubt he can almost singlehandedly carry the Warriors. At 37 years old, he remains the team’s barometer. Last season, when he went down in their second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it spelled trouble for Golden State.

Curry played at least 70 games for the second straight campaign last season, though his scoring dipped to 24.5 points per game—his lowest since 2017-18, excluding his five-game stint in 2019-20.

The added edge Curry brings

Even without making a major offseason move, the Warriors have a high-value asset in Jimmy Butler, a player who has repeatedly shown he can carry a franchise. Now, he’ll need to adjust his role alongside Curry and recognize when it’s time to step forward as the team’s primary option.

For now, the Warriors remain a competitive squad—perhaps not the favorites or clear title contenders—but if they can resolve the Jonathan Kuminga situation and potentially bring in a veteran like Al Horford to address their biggest need, they could pose serious challenges in the upcoming NBA season.

“I don’t really know how these rankings work, man. I don’t know what’s required to be put where and where, but that dude better be somewhere in the top five, man… We’re talking about a guy that literally changed basketball. He’s done it in a 6’2″, 6’3″ frame. He’s not the most athletic, and he’s found a way to literally change the game and dominate at the same time and win,” DeMarcus Cousins said, via Straight Game Podcast.

Stephen Curry has not only carved out a niche for himself in this era, but he has also established himself as the all-time leader in three-pointers. Additionally, he has maintained impressive consistency over 16 seasons as the leader of the Warriors’ offense. While his physicality might not be the most striking aspect of his game, his longevity defies the notion that he is not an athletic prodigy. At 36 years of age, he continues to be the franchise’s cornerstone.

Shaquille O’Neal also shares his take on Stephen Curry’s place in the NBA GOAT debate

Not only did DeMarcus Cousins weigh in on Stephen Curry’s inclusion in the GOAT debate, but Shaquille O’Neal also shared his thoughts. The legendary big man has consistently chosen Michael Jordan as his top pick for the greatest of all time. However, during an appearance on TNT, he offered his perspective on the Warriors icon’s place in this ongoing discussion.

“I played against Mike, played with Kobe, played against and with LeBron. They’re all great But at some point, we’re going to have to put Steph Curry in that category. I’m not saying he is, but let’s just have the conversation,” Shaq O’Neal said.

Stephen Curry’s enduring legacy with the Warriors is already legendary

While some former players and fans dispute his place in the GOAT debate, Stephen Curry has already established a legendary legacy with the Golden State Warriors. Over 1,026 games, he has maintained impressive averages of 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. Additionally, he has secured two MVP awards. However, his legacy extends beyond the statistics, as he has introduced a revolutionary style of offense that has redefined the game’s offensive approach.

At just 36 years old, Stephen Curry could extend his NBA legacy by winning his fifth championship. The Warriors have built a strong veteran core with Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Curry, which promises to make a short-term impact. Additionally, reports suggest they are looking to add Al Horford to enhance their presence in the paint.

Cousins, a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA honoree during his stint in Sacramento, blossomed into a formidable force within the Kings‘ lineup. Sacramento was the site of his early growth, where his skills first caught the league’s attention.

His pinnacle season with the Kings was the 2015-16 NBA campaign. During that year, he commanded attention by leading the conference in regular-season field goal attempts and two-point attempts, while averaging an impressive 26.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

Cousins’ legacy with the Kings extends beyond statistics, as he voiced his thoughts on the possibility of his number being retired. “Obviously it would be an honor. That was something that I definitely wanted and strived for as far as why I tried to go out and perform every single night. Accolade-wise, I feel like I did all the right things while I was in that jersey … As far as All-Stars, as far as All-NBA selections, numbers, gold medals. I put my work in,“ Cousins stated on the Straight Game podcast.

Over his career with the Kings, Cousins participated in 470 regular-season games, starting in 448 of them. He averaged 31.9 minutes on the court per game and produced an impressive stat line with 21.1 points, 3 assists, and 10.2 rebounds per game on average.

A significant portion of Cousins’ scoring arsenal came from inside the paint, as he consistently attempted 16.5 shots per game, including 15.3 two-pointers, while converting 73% of his free throws. Defensively, he was also a stalwart, averaging 7.8 defensive rebounds per matchup.

Despite his individual brilliance, Cousins was unable to guide the Kings to the playoffs. He eventually experienced postseason action with the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets, his last NBA team.

Cousins’ time with the Kings remains a highlight of his career, and there’s fervent hope from both him and his fans that the organization will honor his legacy by retiring his jersey.

“I think that Anthony Edwards. That’s a bad boy. We can talk all we want about the Euro thing, but whenever he steps on the floor, you know he’s on the floor. It don’t matter who’s out there. I think it’s more about getting the right talent around…they gotta find a really good PG (point guard),” DeMarcus Cousins said, via Straight Game podcast.

Although Cooper Flagg has risen as the NBA’s most promising American prospect, it is Anthony Edwards who has transcended the prospect phase and established himself as one of the league’s top players. In just five seasons, Edwards has entered the MVP conversation for the past two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season, he delivered an outstanding performance, averaging 27.9 points per game over 79 games.

Anthony Edwards has improved not only individually but also by propelling the Timberwolves into top contender. Before his rise, they had not reached the Conference Finals since 2004. Now, they have achieved this feat in two consecutive seasons. The Timberwolves have built the roster around him, but they have also crafted it in such a way that he serves as the crowning piece, marking them as one of the league’s most promising teams.

Does Anthony Edwards need to leave the Timberwolves to finally win an NBA MVP award?

Although Anthony Edwards has elevated his performance significantly this season, he has not yet climbed the MVP award rankings compared to previous seasons. For that reason, some former players have suggested that Edwards might consider requesting a trade from the Timberwolves if they do not secure a championship soon. Yet, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exemplifies how a well-structured athletic path can lead to MVP contention.

A potential departure from the Minnesota Timberwolves could present a significant risk for Anthony Edwards’ career. As the current cornerstone, the entire team structure boosts his skills. Moreover, the franchise has shown its commitment by maintaining the roster. Similar to the Thunder’s path, Edwards could soon be in line for an MVP award or a championship if the Timberwolves keep their balance and star player.

Wall struggled with injuries and missed plenty of time in the final stretch of his career. Cousins, on the other hand, drew a bad reputation for his strong character, and injuries also pushed him away.

Cousins’ personality was always a talking point. Even so, John Calipari, his coach, knew that he was also more than worth the risk. That’s what he told NBA teams before the Sacramento Kings eventually took him at No. 5.

John Calipari had strong words for DeMarcus Cousins

“If you want something easier, then take somebody else,” he said, according to ESPN. “If you want to take on this challenge and make him one of the best players in the NBA, then he has it all. He’s got the size, the mind, and he’s smart enough to remember plays and make adjustments. He’s one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever coached.”

DeMarcus Cousins is still active and looks like someone who could contribute to any NBA team, even if it were for limited stretches and coming off the bench in certain matchups.

He will go down as one of the most talented big men in recent history, and it’s sad to see how his reputation may have pushed him away from the game when he still had so much more to give.

Cousins eventually went to the Sacramento Kings with the fifth-overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, becoming a perennial All-Star and one of the most polarizing figures in the league.

But looking back on his early days, he knows that none of that would’ve been possible if it weren’t for his days on campus. That’s why he admitted that those days were the most important of his career.

DeMarcus Cousins credits days at Kentucky for his career

“The day I stepped foot on the UK campus, it was go time. Go time, no looking back. I’m like, ‘Oh, this is it.’ I mean, til this day, my best years ever when it comes to basketball — at any level,” Cousins said on the ‘Run Your Race’ podcast. “That place is always gonna have a place in my heart. I mean, they helped me — it wouldn’t be no Boogie without that place. It wouldn’t even exist, you know what I mean?”

Unfortunately, his bad reputation and some injury issues derailed Cousins’ career to the point where some believe he was blackballed and pushed out of the league.

But those who watched him play and dominate when he was in his prime can attest to his talent and work ethic, and he clearly deserved better from the game he gave up so much to.

Wall was the first-overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, with Cousins being taken just four picks later. That speaks volumes about the caliber of talent John Calipari had at his disposal.

That’s why, even though they didn’t finish the deal and won the National Championship, Cousins still cherishes the memories from his days on campus at Lexington.

DeMarcus Cousins loved his days in college

“That’s the most fun I have ever had playing basketball,” the former All-Star told Kevin Garnett. “It was about basketball. There wasn’t no politics. There wasn’t no bulls***. The team, it was a vibe, it was a brotherhood. I knew my guy had my back, he knew I had his back. It was never cloudy. There was never, no grey area. It was always black and white.”

Cousins went on to be one of the most dominant big men in the league in his prime. He’s still trying to work his way back to the NBA after a successful tenure overseas.

Looking back, it’s crazy to see that this team couldn’t win a championship together despite clearly having the best players in all of college basketball, but that’s just the way things go at times.

With a meeting reportedly set between Kuminga and the Warriors in the coming weeks, former Golden State player DeMarcus Cousins didn’t hold back when addressing who he believes is responsible for the situation. While Kuminga didn’t always get consistent minutes, his impact when on the floor was significant. And from what I saw, the fan base expected nothing less than to see him play regularly.

As a young player, Kuminga brought energy and production almost every time he came off the bench. That’s why Cousins pointed directly at head coach Steve Kerr as the main reason behind Kuminga’s likely departure. “I think they lost [Kuminga]. I think Steve Kerr ruined that relationship with the DNPs,” Cousins said.

“We’ve seen this happen time and time again when it comes to him and dealing with young talent,” Cousins added. “He doesn’t develop young talent. Out of the years he’s been there, we’ve seen one guy develop under Steve Kerr, and they ran him off as well—and that was Jordan Poole. So when it comes to young talent, I just don’t think they handle it well.”

Kerr’s decision to sideline Kuminga

Throughout the regular season, fans were eager to see Kuminga get more playing time across various stretches. While it’s true that injuries played a role in limiting his availability at times, there were also long stretches when the Warriors struggled—and Kuminga could have helped shift momentum.

Instead, Kerr leaned heavily on rookie Brandin Podziemski, who earned a starting role and frequently delivered. Still, Kuminga had standout performances during key moments of the regular season, showing that he was more than capable of contributing at a high level.

Kerr repeatedly told the media that Kuminga needed more time to develop, emphasizing his youth. But from my perspective, Kuminga’s play on the court told a different story, one that showed he was ready for a bigger role, despite the occasional setback.

Cousins’s take on other NBA decisions

In addition to his comments about Kerr and Kuminga, Cousins also weighed in on Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who came under fire from fans after rumors linked him to trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Now, though, Harrison has reason to smile, not because of any departure, but because Dallas landed the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery.

And Cousins didn’t hold back when giving his take on what Harrison should do with that pick. To him, there’s one bold move that could keep the Mavericks in title contention. “If Nico Harrison actually wants to keep a 3-year championship window open in Dallas,” Cousins said, “he’ll trade the rights to Cooper Flagg for Kevin Durant.”

“Nico’s already on record saying it’s a 3-year window for winning a championship…Cooper Flagg doesn’t fit that window, KD (Kevin Durant) does,” former Golden State Warriors player DeMarcus Cousins said on Run It Back Show.

Although adding Kevin Durant could strengthen the roster, giving up the chance to draft and develop Cooper Flagg may spark again controversy. That is a risk Nico Harrison may not afford right now. Fans have rallied around the idea of landing the Duke phenom. Walking that back could seriously damage their trust.

Besides, several NBA insiders believe the Mavericks will still draft and keep Flagg. They argue that Harrison already built a veteran roster. So, adding a young talent like Cooper provides long-term balance. It also helps sustain success through future seasons. Moreover, head coach Jason Kidd praised Flagg on the Dallas Mavericks Podcast. He said he “loves the kid from Duke,” which strengthens the case for keeping him.

Head coach Jason Kidd spoke on The Dan Patrick Show and made one thing clear. The pressure would not fall on Cooper Flagg in case he arrives. The team already has veterans who carry that responsibility. Instead, Kidd said Flagg would benefit more by developing with the Mavericks as he could learn directly from the experienced players on the roster.

Unlike this season, Jason Kidd will enter the 2025-26 campaign with a clear chance to shape the roster from the start. During this 2024-25 season, he had to adjust on the fly after unexpected changes such as Luka Doncic’s departure. That situation forced Kidd to respond quickly, without the benefit of long-term planning.

Now, with more experience with this roster, he can focus on building consistency. As a result, he aims to restore the balance that once made the team a top contender in the conference.

“I like Ace Bailey. To me, Ace Bailey is the No. 1 pick. I think Ace Bailey’s the No. 1 pick…I think he’s the closest thing we’ve seen to Tracy McGrady,” stated DeMarcus Cousins on Run It Back. While Cooper Flagg continues to dominate media coverage, Bailey’s impressive talent has not received much attention. His physical capacity and scoring ability makes him one of the most exciting young talents in the country.

Bailey played 30 games this season and made a strong impact. He averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. His shooting numbers also stood out. 46% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. These stats show he can score in different ways and do it efficiently. As a result, the McGrady comparison feels valid, especially when considering his offensive versatility.

With the Dallas Mavericks expected to take Cooper Flagg and the San Antonio Spurs reportedly targeting Dylan Harper, the Philadelphia 76ers now appear in line to draft Ace Bailey in the 2025 NBA Draft. Adding fuel to the speculation, Bailey reposted a TikTok video from a fan account that imagined him as a future Sixers player. The move sparked buzz among fans, many of whom now believe he’s genuinely interested in joining the franchise.

Sixers’ player Paul George praises Ace Bailey’s talent as future NBA star

DeMarcus Cousins is not the only one who praised Ace Bailey’s talent. Paul George joined the conversation during an episode of ‘Podcast P’. The Sixers star was asked who he would select as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Without hesitation, the Sixers star named Bailey as his top choice.

Moreover, George explained that the young Rutgers star standout is a raw talent with huge potential. He even said Bailey has a higher upside than Cooper Flagg. In addition, he praised the efficiency Ace shows on the court. However, he also made it clear that choosing Cooper would still be a solid decision.

Both players, according to George, have what it takes to become NBA superstars. After these comments, speculation around Ace Bailey’s possible future with the Philadelphia 76ers continues to grow.

DeMarcus Cousins recently appeared on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back. There, the former Warriors player analyzed the Dallas Mavericks’ defensive issues. He pointed out the team’s lack of consistency on that end. Then, he made a statement that surprised some fans. “As far as Luka [goes], was Nico wrong?…I mean on the defensive side of the ball.”

Even if Cousins did not say it outright, he implied that Nico Harrison made the right call if defense was his priority. It does not mean he supports Luka Doncic’s trade. However, he suggested the front office had a clear vision, but injuries have made things harder for the Mavericks. However, the arrivals of Anthony Davis and Max Christie could help balance the defense.

However, the Mavericks gave up their most important offensive piece. Luka Doncic is no longer on the roster. That leaves the team without a true superstar. Even in his worst season, excluding his rookie year, he averaged more than 27.7 points per game. Since his departure, no player has reached that mark.

Therefore, the decision to sacrifice offense for defense is surprising. Few players in the league can dominate games with their scoring. Giving that up, even to improve on the other end, comes with a high cost.

How DeMarcus Cousins performed with the Golden State Warriors alongside Stephen Curry?

DeMarcus Cousins joined the Golden State Warriors after a strong season with the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2017-18, he averaged 25.2 points per game and looked like a major addition. However, his time with Golden State did not go as planned. He played only 30 games with the team and averaged 16.3 points per game. That number was far from his usual production in previous seasons. His impact fell short of the high expectations around his arrival.

Even so, Cousins managed to develop a solid connection with Stephen Curry on the court. According to StatMuse, he averaged 15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 21 games shared with Curry. The numbers were decent, but not enough for a long-term stay.

For that reason, Cousins played just one season with the Warriors. He has not returned to the NBA since the 2021-22 season. Now, he plays for the Selenge Bodons in the Mongolian basketball league.